Shaping the lake From the cover
A closer look
What’s happening
White Rock Lake Park amenities, such as its dog park, that didn’t exist when the most recent plan was created in 1999. The master plan will not include dredging, which is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of the lake. Many east Dallasites have said that is a crucial element in maintaining White Rock Lake. Dredging is a separate project with its own task force, Blackmon said. City o cials are looking for ways to fund the project, including the upcoming $1 billion bond program.
Typically, a master plan is a graphic representa- tion that shows the subject’s physical elements with a proposed build-out, Neeley said. The representa- tion usually comes with a report summarizing the plan, detailing needs and providing guidelines. The purpose of the plan is to “maintain the integ- rity of the lake” so everyone can use it and enjoy it without being “overwhelmed by so much devel- opment,” said Richard Stau er, a project manager with Dallas’ Park and Recreation Department. He noted restaurant development around the lake, which many community members oppose, as one thing that would need to be included in the plan for it to happen in the future. Community members can expect the new plan to detail whether that would be acceptable as well as activities that aren’t allowed on the lake anymore. In addition, the new plan will incorporate new
Dallas o cials commissioned Dunaway, a Texas-based civil engineering company, to work on the monthslong project. The process includes researching the lake’s previous plans, assessing the lake’s physical condition, soliciting community feedback and designing the new plan while preserving the lake’s history. Dunaway Senior Engagement Manager Philip Neeley said his team of seven working on the project is consolidating previous plans while bringing them up to date with the state of the park. When city o cials plan updates, historic restoration and new park amenities in the future, those plans will need to tie back to the new master plan, Neeley said. “We’re not wiping the marker board clean and starting over,” Neeley said. “This park has been a living beacon for close to 100 years. We’re trying to be stewards for it.”
Park plans
$256,205 for White Rock Lake Park project
4 previous master plans
SOURCE: CITY OF DALLAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
What they’re saying
Get involved
Project timeline
Previous master plans and studies for White Rock Lake Park date back to its creation in 1911. Dunaway consultants will consolidate and update them in this monthslong project.
"We would love more lighting around the lake, especially on the trails that are
back in the woods that lead up to the Santa Fe Trail. There’s basically no lighting back there, so it can be kind of a dangerous, scary situation." JEN AMORELLA MCKIMMEY, EAST DALLAS RESIDENT “I’d like to see a dedicated park ranger for White Rock Lake. I think that would make the whole community feel a little more secure.” JOHN BOTEFUHR, WHITE ROCK LAKE FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER
White Rock Lake is about 5 miles from downtown Dallas.
2023
Dunaway commissioned to create updated White Rock Lake Park master plan
CECILIA LENZEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Community members interested in sharing their thoughts on the White Rock Lake Park master plan can ll out the park and recreation department’s online survey, which is available on the department’s website. The department plans to host a public meeting in November to share updates about the project, Stau er said. Details will be posted on the department’s website.
May
Data gathered, and previous plans and studies reviewed
June
July
Community feedback solicited
Aug.
Sept.
Consolidate previous plans and develop new plan
Oct.
Scan this code to take the Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s survey about the White Rock Lake Park master plan.
Nov.
Create preliminary master plan and design standards
“I would hate to see any changes that would impact the native prairies, which are very endangered and fragile
Dec.
Deliver nal master plan and report to the city
2024
at White Rock Lake. ” BEN SANDIFER, A MASTER NATURALIST WHO LIVES IN EAST DALLAS
SOURCE: CITY OF DALLAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION
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